A trip without music?

Before I get to my main topic, I want to say that I hope I don't stop blogging on here just because the class it was for has ended.  I am still writing occasionally on trumpful-sound so I this one keeps up to.  So here we go.

I'm really good at leaving my car headlights on.  I have emptied my battery this way on many occasions.  But it's not all my fault.  Most of the time when it happens, the little trigger that makes the dinging noise gets stuck, so I don't hear anything reminding me to turn the lights off.

I went about three days without needing to drive my car, so I was fully unaware that the battery had been drained.  Fortunately, my gracious father hooked it up to a charger and in a few hours, it was ready to get back on the road.  So on the road I went and what did I find out?  My stereo system was no longer was working!

I never listen to the radio.  I don't even know how to tune it manually, I'm only capable of scanning.  So this not being able to play CD's thing was quite the dilemma.  And even if I wanted to use the radio, it wasn't working either.  I thought maybe it was because it was so cold outside, but nope.  It's been almost a week and it's still not working.  I have yet to inform my dad about this and I don't really want to.  Not that I'd be afraid of his reaction, but I just don't want to bother him about it when he's got a lot of other things to take care of.  Because God knows that I'm not going to be able to fix it.  So here's the real dilemma:

I'm currently planning on taking an eight or nine day road trip starting the day after Christmas, with a few stops for friends, a camp New Year's reunion and ending with my sister's wedding.  My first destination is Warren, PA - 6 1/2 hours away!  That's a long time, an extremely long time, to go without music.  Rarely do I go without listening to anything in my car.  I turn my car on, and the music starts playing.  It's not like I have to turn it on, so why turn it off?  On a couple occasions (such as the drive home after an amazing summer at camp) I have turned it off to take some time in prayer and to soak in all I had just been through.  But this is only for about 30 minutes.  Six and a half hours is different.

But here's the funny thing.  In the week I've been without any noise in my car, besides me talking to myself (you know you do it to), I haven't really noticed the lack of music.  I can't say that it's been a miserable experience.  I've only gone about 5 miles at a time, but when I get o where I'm going, I don't even realize that the music hasn't been playing.

This makes me realize how little time I spend in silence (I think you can say the same for yourself).  And I'm a big believer that it's important to spend some time in silence.  I like to use that silence to reflect and be in prayer.  When I think about a typical day, the only time when there is silence is probably once my roommate and I have fallen asleep - so not until about 2 a.m.  And then at 8:30 the noise starts up all over again.  I need to take some more time in silence.  I need to create it if it's not there.  If I'm just sitting in my room doing homework and I have music playing or the TV on, turn it off.  Take a few minutes to reflect and just relish the silence.  It's something we all need a little more of.

So, for this trip - Music or no music?  That is the question.

Pa rum pum pum pum

On Tuesday, November 25, 2008, The Almost released their five song EP, titled "No Gift to Bring."  Around 12:30 a.m. on the 25th, half an hour after it had been released, I had it purchased from iTunes and sitting in my music library.

I must say, I was very pleased with what I heard.  The track listing is as follows:

1. Awful Direction
2. Little Drummer Boy
3. Amazing (Because it is) Full Version
4. Your Love is Extravagant
5. Dirty and Left Out (McTague-Lectro Version)

Awful Direction is their only new song on the album.  It is entirely acoustic (a simple guitar and drum set) which sets the mood for the rest of the album.  Lines like, "I've been wrong, I've been right, but tonight, I just want to be Yours," are straight from the heart and reflect the struggles of a life faithful to God.

The Little Drummer Boy version is one of the best I've heard (I guess I really haven't heard that many versions, but you catch my drift).  It has a unique rhythm and Aaron Gillespie's voice adds a new flavor.

Tracks 3 and 5 were on the previous album, Southern Weather, but this time with a new twist.  The electric sensation of Dirty and Left Out caught me off guard but I am really warming up to it.  

Your Love is Extravagant has always been one of my favorite praise songs, so to see The Almost cover it this Christmas season is very refreshing.

Well done guys.

photo courtesy of fye.com

So, I'm giving iTunes a shot

I'm not usually a huge fan of technology.  Some of it can be pretty sweet, but for the most part, I find it unnecessary and excessive.  Everyone knows about iTunes and how it along with Mac is taking over the world, and up until now, I was successfully able to block it out of my mind.  I don't have anything against them (I own a MacBook and love it) but I just didn't have a need for iTunes so I didn't really deal with it.

Well, at camp this summer, one of my camper's mothers gave my co-counselor and me a $10 iTunes gift card.  For the longest time, it just sat in the bottom of one of my drawers.  Then, as I posted a few days ago, I won another $25 in iTunes money at the open mic.  So with $35 in iTunes money, I figured it was time I acted on it.

Well, in the last 3 hours, I have gone through this shopping list:

1. rented "Garden State" and watched it (incredible movie - the soundtrack is killer, I may have to blog on it)
2. bought The Almost's new 5-song EP (another potential blog post)
3. bought a $10 software update which allows me to download applications
4. downloaded Relevant Magazine's podcast
   
5. downloaded a couple pointless but entertained applications

I've only got $16.50 remaining.  Hopefully it's not gone by the time I go to sleep.  Perhaps I should turn off my computer and think about my purchases before I go through with them.  Because once I run out of gift card money, there's no more buying to be done.

Confirmed: Shane and Shane are the best ever!

Last Saturday, Nov. 15, I went to see Christian/acoustic duo of Shane and Shane perform at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and I don't even know where to start.

I saw them play at the youth leaders convention a few weekends ago, but this time was different - way different.  At the convention, they only had time to play four or five songs, while everyone was standing at the front of the stage. This was the opposite.  Now usually I would be all for standing at the front of the stage, but given this recent concert was in a sanctuary, there really wasn't a concert-type stage as one would imagine.

So into the church we went, (myself and nine others) and three of us ended up sitting second row, about thirty or forty feet away from the two Shanes.  It was so relaxing to just be able to sit and listen to them play.  We didn't have to worry about tired legs or seeing over anyone (being 6'3" always helps me in that respect).  And there acoustic sound doesn't really call for standing and jumping around.  It was such a great time to relax, listen to great music with even better lyrics, and be reverent to God all at the same time.

What was interesting is that I could kind of tell that the guitarist, Shane Bernard, was having an off night.  He had trouble tuning his strings to begin and there were a couple other spots where it was obvious he was just having a rough time.  But the great thing - it made no difference at all.  He was just up there having a great time, singing and praising God.

In most concerts, it is just song after song after song, but in this situation, there was time when the two Shanes were conversational with each other and with the audience which goes to show that it's not just some routine for them.  Each concert is genuine.  Shane Bernard even took several minutes to share the Biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo and the fiery furnace and how they refused to bow before the king, even knowing it would cost them their lives.  This then transitioned into their song "Burn Us Up."

I could write for days on how amazing these guys are - their voices, their harmonies, their modesty, their genuine attitudes.  I just hope this wasn't the last Shane and Shane experience I have.

Finally, another open mic

Last Thursday was the first open mic on campus in the last two semesters.  I love coming out and just playing my guitar and singing, so to be able to do that again was a lot of fun. 

 Normally, there is no prize for the winner, but this time there was, and there was a catch to it.  The event was also a food drive.  The audience voted for their favorite performer with non-perishable food or money that would go toward food.  Here is a blog that talks more about it.

The cool thing...I won.  I started off with "Beautiful," by Shawn McDonald.  Throughout the week, I had been practicing it, and when my suitemates found out I was playing it, they immediately assumed it was James Blunt's "Beautiful."  So, since I had time to play two songs, I played "Beautiful" again.  It was quite the contrast in sounds and moods.  (Disclaimer: I don't really like James Blunt, but I've been told I have a good impersonation of the British singer and it's funny to sing in falsetto.)

My prize was a $25 iTunes card.  I kinda wished it was cash.  I probably would have just given it back to them to go towards food.  I don't really use iTunes.  Maybe I can sell it to someone for 20 bucks or something.  But anyways, it was loads of fun and there had better be more in the future!

If you'll recall last Tuesday, I made a post about how musically filled my weekend was.  I mentioned how I heard Starfield perform, that they were "up-and-coming" and then had to retract my statement because that are already well-known.  Well, I have to do it again.

In the post, I didn't even mention hearing Matt Maher.  Why?  Because I thought he was just some guy that they chose to lead praise and worship.  I assume that he's a modest guy and wouldn't want me to hype him up as more than just a guy singing and playing his guitar, but I really undermined his successes.

As I browse my google reader looking for ideas, I kept seeing his name for winning awards.  The name sounded familiar so I looked at an article and realized it was the same dude.  Maher has recently won two awards for his work.  The first award received was for "Praise and Worship Album of the Year" for his album "Empty and Beautiful" at the Covenant Awards 30th Anniversary.  That's quite the prize considering other praise and worship artists such as Chris Tomlin and Charlie Hall - not that any of it is a competition for them.  The second award, received a day later, was for "Artist of the Year" at the 9th annual Unity Awards.

One of Maher's popular works, "Your Grace is Enough," was released on "Empty and Beautiful" and was also recorded by Chris Tomlin, who seems to sing just about every praise and worship song these days.

So, along with Starfield, Mercy Me, David Crowder, and Shane and Shane, I also got to enjoy Matt Maher.  Dang, that was quite the weekend.

photo courtesy of CMSpin

Above the Golden State

In July 2008, Portland Christian-rock band Above the Golden State released their debut album.  It typically takes bands a few CD's before they reach that breaking point.  I have a feeling it won't be the same for these guys.  Their self titled album has only been out for a few months and is getting great reviews.

Whenever I buy CD's, I typically like to have listened to at least a few of the band's songs prior to purchasing, or I'll take a recommendation from a very trusted ear.  But this past weekend, I heard about 45 seconds of one of their songs playing through a loudspeaker and knew it would be a great CD.  So I bought it.  And I haven't been let down.  Their west coast rock/pop sound is unique and very appealing.

Songs like "Love," which fades right into the next track, "Chapter 13," (indicating the scripture in 1 Corinthians 13) really resonate with me.  There's more to that scripture than just great lines to read at a wedding, and Above the Golden State really brings that out through their music.

Here are a couple example: "Gaze Into Your Eyes" and "The Sound of Your Name"

I look forward to wearing out this CD and sitting in waits for a new release.

Christmas With the Shanes

I don't know that I've ever listened to an entire Christmas album.  For the most part, they're all the same songs, just a different person singing them.  Well, I finally found one that does Christmas remakes justice - Shane and Shane's "Glory in the Highest."

The newly released Christmas record is the first of the kind in nearly a decade of 

playing from Shane Bernard and Shane Everett.  On the album, the acoustic duo covers several popular tunes, such as "Silent Night," "Away in a Manger," and "O' Come Let Us Adore Him."  Most people who have heard the Shane's sing would

 agree with me that they can cover just about any song and take it up an extra step.  Some of the songs are a bit unusual sounding, simply because an upbeat style is not associated with some of the hymns.

The track that stands out most to me is the opener - an upbeat, spunky version of "O, Holy Night."  When they sing "fall on your knees, O hear the angels' voices.  O night divine, O, night when Christ was born," the soaring harmonies are hard to describe.  (Please watch the video link in here.  It's incredible.)  I still don't understand how two guys can sing that high and that beautifully.

If you're looking for a Christmas record that still gives you the true message of the season, but is unique in sound and filled with great harmonies, this is a must get.

Starfield Already Stars

If you'll look just two posts ago, you'll see that I called Starfield a band that was "relatively unknown and are starting to make it big."  I just found out that I was wrong - they are already making it big.  They've been making it big for a few years now.  On October 24, the band took home six trophies at the Covenant Awards.  Here is exactly what they won.  In no way do I want to undermine how well they are doing.

It's funny that as soon as I comment about them I find that I am completely wrong.  Maybe I should pay attention a little more in the future.  It's great to see another Christian band making an impact on those around them.  Keep it up, Starfield.

It's More Than Just Music

Music can be many things to many people.  For me it's a form of entertainment, it's how I relax, it's how I express myself.  For others, it can be that and so much more.  For my world music class, I watched this film called "War Dance."  In it, a small Ugandan school is competing in a national music contest that displays music of their culture with instruments and dance. 

 What this school doesn't have in common with the other schools is their tragic story.  Most of the kids are living in small huts in a displacement camp with only one parent (if any) because their original village has been attacked by the "rebels."  Their area of Uganda is at constant war and the inhabitants have become accustomed to hearing gunshots at all times of day.  Throughout the movie, profiles of students are seen and the audience is able to get a small glimpse of the physical and emotional pain and anguish they are forced to deal with.  

For this culture, music is their source of hope for something better.  The kids practice day after day and actually do well during their judged performance, but more important than that is how detrimental music is to them.  One young man, Dominic, is seen sitting in front of a tree playing his xylophone.  He says that he wants to be the best xylophone player ever and that when they go compete he will make a name for himself and show them that his people are strong.

I guess I just find it fascinating how vastly different music is around the world.  The simple idea of music and song is anything but simple.

A Musical Weekend

This past weekend had been like no other for me when it comes to live music.  From Friday night until Sunday night, I saw four amazing bands perform.

It started Friday night with a David Crowder concert.  A group from the college along with some folks from a nearby church trekked three hours to Cedarville University to see the band perform.  I had never seen them live before, but they sound just as great live as they do on their recordings.  The dynamics of their sound is what's most astonishing.  They range from their typical upbeat rock sound to bluegrass and into praise and worship, using a variety of electronic creations along the way.  The highlight is when David grabbed a Guitar Hero guitar controller.  He wasn't just going to act like he was playing - the thing actually made guitar noises.  The sounds weren't just five notes like you'd hear on the game.  Different combos of buttons made different sounds.  It was awesome.

The next day, I was at a youth leaders convention in Pittsburgh and due to it being large-scale, it brought in a lot of good artists.  The first I heard was Starfield.  They are relatively unknown but are starting to make it big.  I don't remember much about their sound, but I did like it.

After them was Mercy Me.  I was fortunate to see Mercy Me perform their hit song "I Can Only Imagine" back in 6th or 7th grade before they were popular, so it was neat to see them again.  I didn't know much of their stuff, but it was still great to hear them play.

The next day was the highlight.  The morning started of with a short session with none other that Shane and Shane.  These two guys, both named Shane if you didn't figure that out, are absolutely incredible.  They have the best voices I have ever heard and their live sound is ridiculous.  I honestly cannot put into words how great they are.  And what makes them go above and beyond any other band is the power of their lyrics.  Many Christian artist sing about how great God is, which is not wrong at all - it's great to sing about that.  But they tend to refrain from singing about struggles and songs of lament.  Shane and Shane don't hesitate in singing about what's Biblical truth.  Their line in the song "Beg" that says "at the end of the day, my words get burned as wood."  This shows that if a Christian isn't into their faith whole heartedly, then their words mean nothing.

Capping the night and the conference off was another dose of David Crowder, this one much superior to the one on Friday.  The first reason is that I was right at the front of the stage.  When they let us in, we had to run to get good seats, but we got them.  Secondly, the audience was much more into it.  There was more energy which made it more enjoyable.  It was pretty much the same set (just a little smaller), but none of it felt repetitive.

I don't know that I'll ever have another weekend with as much stellar music in it again.  I better soak it up while it's still fresh.

The Land of the Boy Bands and the Home of the Backstreet Boys

The Backstreet Boys were given the honor of singing America's National Anthem for Game 1 of the World Series tonight in St. Petersburg, where the Philadelphia Phillies are playing the Tampa Bay Rays.  It took them long enough to sing the anthem that I was able to get up from my futon, grab my computer, and begin this post.  Why?  Because they spent half the time elongating words and changing their intonation while adding three and four part harmonies.  This is completely unnecessary!

The Star Spangled Banner is about the power of the words - how our country prevailed through "bombs bursting in air" that we might be the "land of the free and the home of the brave."  Francis Scott Key didn't wake up that morning nearly 200 years ago, see the battered American flag and think, "Hey, I bet a boy band in a couple hundred years would make this sound great!"  To me, the quartet ruined the song.  They're fortunate it was our nation's song or I  wouldn't have even known what they said.  I was too focused on how their intent to sound sleek made them sound stupid.  I realize they are not the only people to do this, but they just happened to be the one's singing tonight.  Anyone who does it deserves the mute button.

Nice try BSB, but I'm glad you're off the field so the game can start.  And by the way, you guys were cooler in the 90s.

There's Something About a Campfire...

...that makes music more enjoyable.  This past weekend, I was on a retreat with some of my fellow members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  We were staying at a hunting cabin just a bit out of Marietta, but surrounded by beauty.  On Friday, we had an old fashioned dinner of burgers on the grill and dogs over the fire.  When it came time for dessert (smores of course), I decided to accompany the festivity with some guitar playing.

Things started off great.  I was playing praise and worship songs and everyone was singing along.  Sooner than later, much sooner, my fingers started to get cold.  Pretty soon, I couldn't feel them.  But that didn't stop me from playing.  People kept requesting songs, so I kept playing them.  Yes, it was tough, even painful when I drug the side of my finger instead of the pick across the strings because I had no feeling.  But that was some of the most enjoyable guitar playing I have ever done.  We all seemed to sound like a chorus of angels, yet we were far from it.  

Eventually I stopped, but only because smore time was over and everyone wanted to head in for some warmth.  But if I could head back outside with that same group of people and play those same songs in that same cold weather, I wouldn't hesitate in doing so.  I started the post with this and I'll end with it...

There's something about a campfire that makes music more enjoyable.

Christian Rapper Doing His Part

Christian music has been handed a negative stereotype by most of the popular culture.

  Lecrae, a self-professing Christian, is doing his part to change that with his lyrics.  His junior album "Rebel" has only been out for a few weeks and has made quite the impact

.  It is currently the No. 1 Gospel album, according to Billboard's Top Gospel charts.  More than that, this album is already showing up in mainstream media.  After its release on Sept. 30, it went immediately to the No. 3 spot on iTunes top Rap/Hip-Hop chart, just below

 T.I.'s "Paper Trail."  "Rebel" also claimed Billboard's No. 8 position on the Top Rap Album mainstream chart.

Lecrae's previous album "After the Music Stops" made a signifiant impact when it was released in 2006 and is still staying atop various charts.  I have been a big fan of the rapper ever since my first experience with "Fanatic" while working at summer camp in 2006 and I love what he is doing.  I'm not a fan of rap, mostly because of the content of the lyrics (How does someone get major recognition for rapping about drugs and 

disrespecting women?  Doesn't really make sense to me), so in that sense, Lecrae sits in favor with me.  In an interview, Lecrae speaks about the meaning behind the "Rebel" title, saying it's not rebelling as it would usually be viewed as wild and reckless, rather it's "rebelling against an ungodly culture."

One of the feature tracks, "Don't Waste Your Life," is inspired by the book of the same title, by John Piper.  In the previously mentioned interview, Lecrae said most people would say he wasted his life because he spent it all serving God.  To Lecrae, and Piper would agree, he's wasting his life if he's not doing that.

I hope Lecrae along with other Christian rappers such as Tripp Lee, Fanatik, and KJ-52 continue to put out great album after great album.  With great music revealing an even greater message, the gospel of Christ, it's impossible to go wrong.

Back to School Sounds

Only four days after arriving in Michigan, I had to turn around and leave and head back to Marietta for classes on Wednesday.  I didn't know what to start off with listening to so I figured Shane and Shane could never go wrong.  A double dose of them and then a double shot of Dispatch and I was well into my 7-hour trek back to Southeast Ohio.  Here's how it went:

1.  Shane and Shane - Clean

A rather short CD.  I think it only had 10 tracks and they went by very quickly.  One of the duos earlier CD's.  It still had great songs, but not as strong as Pages.  I knew the second to last song on 

one of the CD's was a great one and when I didn't hear it on "Clean" I ha

d to put in Psalms.

2.  Shane and Shane - Psalms

This album is stronger than "Clean" although it came out a couple years earlier.  It has more depth in the lineup and features songs like "The Answer" and that second to last song, "You Said."  I have to turn it way up when I hear the beginning guitar chords.

3.  Dispatch - Somerville

Dispatch is easily my favorite band outside of the Christian music realm.  I planned on listening to both live CD's from All Points Bulletin, so I started with the weaker of the two, although weaker doesn't mean it wasn't still awesome.  With highlights such as "Here We Go" and "B

ang Bang," it was all a marvelous precursor to the second of the two CD's. 

4.  Dispatch - Hatch Shell

The highlight of the trip.  This album is flooded with amazing music.  The great thing about their live CD's is that most songs include a 3 or 4 minute interlude in which they just jam.  It makes the songs much more enjoyable.  Take for instance "Carry You" when Pauly-T and Phil Keaggy go to town on the piano and guitar.  And then come all the favorites, like "The General," "Elias," "Out Loud," and "Two Coins."  But even the lesser known songs are just as dynamic.  GO DISPATCH!!!

5.  Third Day - Chronology Volume 1

I don't know too many of the Third Day songs - maybe almost half of them.  If I don't know them at least th

ey were fairly familiar.  Third Day has amazing lyrics.  It's hard to drive with my eyes open when I hear "Thief," and "Love Song."

6.  David Crowder Band - A Collision

A very dynamic album from a very dynamic band.  I love how they can go from the praise and worship style of "Here is Our King" to the banjo-sound of "I Saw the Light."  Plus the CD never seems to end, so it easily got me back to Marietta.

Back to classes we go.

Music to Michigan

Fall break has finally arrived.  I've been planning a trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan for a while now to visit a friend from camp, so I'm glad to finally be here.  It was a seven hour drive (10-5) and there's no way I could have done it without music.  I can't really do anything without music.  I thought I might let you in on what was blaring in my car and how I felt about it.

1.  Shane and Shane - Pages

A great way to start the trip.  It was already in my CD player so I didn't even have to decide.  The two Shane's write the best lyrics and their guitar playing abilities blow me away.  Truly one of the best CDs.

2.  Anberlin - Cities

A quite a bit different from the acoustic duo on Shane and Shane.  This CD stood the test of time at camp this past summer and I hadn't listened to it since.  "Inevitable" and "Patron Saint of Lost Causes" are must listens.

3.  Relient K - Five Score and Seven Years Ago

I finally listened to the last song, "Deathbed," all the way through.  I may have before, but if I did, I never paid attention.  It's a bit weird at first, but then tells of the great redemptive love of Jesus.

4.  The Almost - Southern Weather

Of course I had to listen to this CD.  I already bragged about it in a previous post.  Once 

again, "Dirty and Left Out" and "Amazing (Because it is)" blow me away.  I love when Aaron goes into a unique version of "There's Something About That Name" and "Amazing Grace" in both songs respectively.

*Before The Almost finished playing, it started to skip too much and there's nothing worse than having to alter your singing because the CD won't cooperate.  So I turned off the CD

 player and what was playing?  Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape," best known for its choruses of Woooohooooo, woooohooooo.  I didn't feel too masculine as I sang "I could be your favorite girl" but I really didn't feel like changing the station.

5.  Switchfoot - A Beautiful Letdown

I forgot I had this CD.  And why not listen to it since I just wrote about it.  My favorite might be "Twenty-four."  Five years down the road, it is still a very solid CD.  I forgot how many popular ones were on there - oh yeah - six on the Best Of CD.

6.  DC Talk - Greatest Hits (which one?)

Again, another greatest hits CD, the one I mentioned in the Switchfoot post.  But it is such a GREAT CD.  Talk about old school.  "Luv is a Verb" just makes you want to dance in an absurd out of synch way.  The raps are classic because we all know that Toby Mac is "flowin' like a bottle of Drain-O."  And then there's the contrast of "My Will" which is a mirror of what I'd like to live out.

7.  OAR - All Sides

I'm not too familiar with this CD yet, but it's solid.  It was the only CD I couldn't sing along with very well, but I'm getting there.  "Stories of a Stranger" was a pretty good CD, but All Sides trumps it.  More of the classic brass instruments are used giving it a brighter sound.

Four days from now I'll be making the 7-hour trek back to Marietta.  I can't wait to see what music is in store for me.

Greatest Hits Too Soon

Just over a decade into their musical career, Switchfoot has decided to release their first greatest hits album.  Titled "The Best Yet," this 18 track CD is set to release on November 4, 2008.  The 5-member band has released 6 albums dating back to 1997, but didn't receive major notice until 2003's "Beautiful Letdown," which went double-platinum by selling 2.6 million copies.

Congratulations on your successes thus far and good hopes for continued success, but isn't it a bit early to release a greatest hits album?  They've only been in the major spotlight for 5 years and this is reflected by the lineup of "The Best Yet."  One-third of the album is from "The Beautiful Letdown" and 5 others from "Nothing is Sound" and "Oh! Grav

ity."

In no way am a bashing Switchfoot; I'm a big fan of "The Beautiful Letdown" and love some of their lyrics.  I was fortunate to see Switchfoot live with Relient K back in February and they put on a great show.  But my point is that they should have waited a bit before they put out a compilation album.  I don't see Switchfoot's popularity hitting a major decline any time soon, so they should have taken some time to work on another great album (don't force it though - put some more thought and depth into the lyrics) and once the music track library is a bit bigger, then pursue a greatest hits album.  One of my favorite bands is DC Talk, and they have put out seemingly 20 greatest hits albums.  If Switchfoot doesn't watch out, they'll run the same trend and soon they'll have more greatest hits albums than they do regular albums. 

Music outside of speakers

In the past couple weeks of classes, I've been getting a really cramped feeling when I'm sitting in my room.  I feel like I just need to get up and do something.  Last Thursday, I took to taking a walk around 11 p.m. just to get out of the room and have some time for myself.  What I found was way more than anything I can get by vegging out, playing Rock Band. 

 It was so enjoyable to just be still and listen.  To hear the wind finding its way through the leaves, the squirrels scampering from bush to bush and tree to tree, cars crawling down the street a ways off.  In recent, I've become more aware of my surroundings and what sounds come with it.  One awesome instance occurred last night.  I was laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, and off in the distance a train rumbled by.  Every few seconds it would blast its horn and I realized something - the horn isn't just one solitaire note.  It is a series of notes, some more subtle than others.  But the ending result isn't an annoying cover-your-ears sound.  It's a harmony - each note takes its role and falls in place with the others.  The sound is actually quite enjoyable.

It's things like this that allow me to appreciate life a little more.  This sounds very cliche, I realize - but it's true.  To be able to realize that there is more, way more to life than getting to classes on time, worrying about grades that will affect my GPA which may affect job placement later on, whether I'll have time to take a nap later, what I should wear that day...  Outside of me and my irrelevant thoughts, there is so much more going on in God's beautiful creation.  I just have to stop and realize that.

Music is everywhere.  Take time and listen.

My Brain on Music

Currently, I am reading "This is Your Brain on Music" by Daniel J. Levitin.  It is a slow progress (I'm lucky to get ten pages in one sitting) but it's extremely interesting.  I haven't even reached the meat of it yet, but what I have encountered has really taught me some bizarre things about music and how we think.

Levitin was talking about the range of sounds that we can hear and he brought up the point of how limited our hearing is in relation to the entire sound spectrum.  At this point in my reading, I got sidetracked and started to think Imagine what things would be like outside of our human selves.  I mean, think about it.  There would be so many more sounds that we could hear, so many more colors visible, not to mention sound w

aves and thing of that nature.  It's all very fascinating to think about.

Back to the book - it is a very scientifically based book, thus making it a challenging read if you're not paying attention, and Levitin goes into depth in the beginning to do a basic explanation of the concepts of sound, such as pitch, volume, harmonics, rhythm, etc.  Even these basic principles (which he points out have all been invented by our brains) have been interesting to read about.  Later in the book, he gets into topics such as why we are attracted to certain types of music, why jingles get stuck in our heads, why we emotionally attach to music when we listen as teenagers.

I'm excited for the adventure that is in front of me.

photo courtesy of flickr.com

The Talented Mr. GIllespie

If you've seen a video or been to a concert of a "hardcore" band, then you are most likely familiar with a sweaty, hair-flinging frontman, screaming his brains out either with or without a guitar in hand.  In the case of Underoath, who have recently released their highly anticipated album Lost in the Sound of Separation, their "screamer" Aaron Gillespie can't hold a guitar - his hands are occupied by his drumsticks.  Think about that for a sec

ond.  He's busy keeping rhythm in the most complicated way he can think possible, all while screaming as loudly into the mic to the left of his mouth.  When I play my guitar and sing, it can be hard enough just to sing and keep the corr

ect picking rhythm.  Gillespie has a thousand piece drum set to keep track of!  Alright, maybe slightly less than a thousand, but not by much.

And what's more... he is blind in one eye!  And what about his only good eye?  Colorblind.  So depending on which eye is blind, when he turns to the mic, he probably can't even see half the drum set.

He's not done.  Not only is Gillespie busy touring the world, but he is also the lead singer and drummer of his side project, The Almost.  The Almost has a softer, more melodic sound than that of Underoath and is not as widely known.  I am personally a bigger fan of The Almost.  I can only take so much screaming at once.  There songs are also easier to play on guitar which is good news for me.  My favorite song is a toss up between Amazing (Because it is) and Dirty and Left Out.  All in all, Aaron Gillespie is the man.  He's only 25 but is extremely accomplished as a musician and it is wasn't knowing people in the business that got him there - it was raw and under-appreciated talent.

picture courtesy of flickr.com

More Than Just America

If you've never experienced world music, you need to.  It doesn't matter where specifically around the world, but just get outside of the Western norm.  I am currently taking a World Music class and have come to find it extremely intriguing.  Music outside of what we know is so much different in so many way.  I don't want to go into a classroom lecture here, but it is so interesting how different cultures view music in a different eye.

We just finished our discussion on Indian music (from India, not cowboys and indians) and have now moved on to the music of the Middle East.  What I found most interesting, and surprising, is where music stands socially.  Music in the Middle East is viewed almost exactly the opposite of how it's viewed in America.  In our Western culture, music is held in high regard.  If you don't think so, look around...it's everywhere - TV, restaurants, stores, our vehicles, etc.  In the Middle East, music is for the most part looked down upon.  They feel that the purest music is a chant of the Koran.  Other "legitimate music" (Khandan) could be chanted poetry or music for weddings.

What's interesting is that as soon as an instrument is brought into the picture, the music becomes Musiqi, or "illegitimate music".  And the more skilled you are at your instrument, the more you are looked down upon.  One belief of this awkward (remember thought, it's awkward to us, normal to them) hierarchy of music is that our voices are God-given and therefore pure, while instruments are man-made and cause music to become tainted.  Some of this Musiqi is actually illegal in a public setting.

It's unfortunate that music is seen that way.  If a musician has been gifted with the ability to become an incredible musician, let that gift be known!  I don't want this to be a rant about why Middle Eastern music should reconsider their views, but I find it very interesting.  I don't think that we look anywhere besides our CD collections for other signs of life in music.  Music is all over and we should experience that.  In my next post, I want to actually show some of these instruments that make other cultures stand out.  It's quite fascinating.

Why the Title?

So today in our Media Writing class, we were sharing our blogs and someone correctly guessed as to what my blog title comes from. This made me realize that I have yet to explain why I named my blog "Sing Like You Think No One's Listening." Several of the blogs I see have simple names such as "Bob's Blog" or "In the Kitchen," both of which are obvious as to what they will be about. Bob is probably going to tell you about things going on in his life and the latter may show us how to cook something new and exciting." Sing like you think no one's listening" is the first line to the chorus in Straylight Run's "Existentialism of Prom Night."

It benefits my blog in a couple ways. First, my blog is heavily about music so my title being a lyric just seems appropriate. And not just any lyric, but a lyric about music. Second, I love just that - what it's about - the meaning of the line. I try to "sing like no one is listening" in a lot of what I do, not just while in the shower or in my car. If I am passionate about something (my faith, music) then I go all out regardless of what outside influences surround me.

Oh, and you can't forget that the song is just amazing.

Well, that clears that up.

Photo courtesy of band's MySpace page.

New Kids Aren't Too Old For Music

New Kids on the Block, the teen heartthrobs who sold 70 million albums in the 80s, are at it once again. The quintet launched their new album, "The Block," just yesterday (September 2nd) and will kick off their world tour on September 20th in Montreal, Quebec. Apparently, 15 years away from the biz was a bit too much for them.

I don't really know how to react to this. My initial reaction, which I will explain momentarily, was, "Seriously?" coupled with a sigh of disproval and a head shake. Now that I've thought it over, my reaction is more along the lines of, "Whatever" and a feeling of apathy. For some reason, I reacted negatively. Perhaps this is just because my knowledge of them (through pictures and stories) made them out to be a bunch of style-less goofs. But not so much anymore (notice the sleek, clean-shaven, business man look). I'd say a bigger reason I was turned off by them was because they made plenty of room for N'Sync and Backstreet Boys. Those guys were cool...at a time when yo-yos and Gigapets were also in.

But now, I say, "Hey, go for it." Honestly, it isn't as if I'm going to monitor their success - or lack there of. They have written plenty of new songs, so it won't just be a greatest hits tour. I've never really listened to them, so I can't criticize. Overall, I just kind of a get a chuckle from the whole thing. Go NKOTB!

Downloading Doesn't Kill Artists

As the Internet-age skyrockets, CD sales have done the opposite. This has been blamed in large part on the ability to download music, legally or illegally, whether it be an individual song or an entire album. Several artists have expressed their frustrations over this, claiming it weakens the strength of their fanbase, shows a lack of fan loyalty, and even effects their careers. Some music-listeners have backed their favorite artists in the debate, yet most appreciate the ability to download music free of charge, claiming it has helped expose them to new genres and artists. Even more interesting is the fact that some artists, such as The Cool Kids don’t mind, and in a way encourage, the downloading of their songs. Consider the following exchange between the band and their fans at Lollapalooza 2008:

“How many y’all bought our new EP The Bake Sale?” crowd cheers
“How many downloaded it without paying anything?” louder cheers
“That’s alright, we don’t get any money from that thing anyway”

I have nothing but respect for artists who have the approach. I hadn't even heard of this band before reading the article, but I'm compelled to listen to them simply because I know they want me to, anyway I can. In no way do I depend on album sales for a main source of income, but if I did, I can safely say that I wouldn’t mind people downloading my music free of charge at their will. People love to find out about new music (I know I do) and I don’t want to pay for music that I’ve never heard. A great pre-heard album buy is rare. From my experience, listening to new music via file-to-file sharing has actually encouraged me to buy the artist's album. I will hear a song, enjoy it, and then treat myself by supporting the artist. I realize music is an industry; one that is helping fuel our economy. But more important than this, music is about expression and an artist should care more about their message than their popularity and fame. As OAR says in their song “Anyway”: Something always comes from the music.

I can tell you that this “something” is more than money can dictate.